Texas Tech University Athletics
Chad Bettis Receives Promotion, Heading to Asheville Tourists
August 20, 2010 | Baseball
Aug. 20, 2010
LUBBOCK, Texas - Former Texas Tech right-handed pitcher Chad Bettis needed only nine starts to earn his first professional promotion as he was informed Thursday evening he was heading to the Colorado Rockies' Single-A affiliate, Asheville Tourists.
Bettis was taken by the Rockies with the 76th overall pick in the second round of the 2010 Major League Baseball First-Year Player Draft. He became the highest drafted Red Raider since Matt Miller was the 41st overall pick (2nd round) by the Detroit Tigers in 1996. Overall, Bettis is the fourth highest drafted Texas Tech player in the history of the program.
Bettis, who left the Red Raider program with a school career record 17 saves, led the Northwest League with a 1.12 ERA with a 4-1 record in 48.1 innings pitched and 10 appearances with 39 strikeouts and only 10 walks allowed this season. Bettis signed his professional contract on June 12.
His most recent outing - and his final start for the Tri-City Dust Devils in Class-A Short-Season - was his best as a pro striking out 10 batters in 5.2 innings pitched against Vancouver on Aug. 16. Bettis had allowed only two earned runs in his last 38 innings which spanned six starts since July 11 giving him a 0.47 ERA during that stretch.
Bettis earned second team All-Big 12 honors after leading all league pitchers with seven saves in Big 12 play - which also marked a school record.
Bettis went 7-4 with a 4.41 ERA in 24 appearances (seven starts) during his junior season that included 85.2 innings pitched and a team-leading 102 strikeouts with only 33 walks allowed.
Bettis was an honorable mention All-Big 12 pick in 2009 before becoming the fifth Red Raider to play for the USA Baseball National Team (Collegiate), where he helped Team USA win the World Baseball Challenge championship in British Columbia.
Bettis ranks in four Texas Tech career top 10 pitching categories, including saves (17 - 1st), wins (17 - 7th), strikeouts (201 - 9th) and appearances (59 - 9th),
The Colorado Rockies minor league affiliate include the Colorado Springs Sky Sox (Pacific Coast League - Triple-A), Tulsa Drillers (Texas League - Double-A), Modesto Nuts (California League - Class-A Advanced), Asheville Tourists (South Atlantic League - Single-A), Tri-City Dust Devils (Northwest League - Short Season-A), Casper Ghosts (Pioneer League - Rookie League) and Dominican Summer League (Rookie League).
